THE TORCH:November 2002

THE BOTTOM LINE

Hugh M. Spoljaric, President

Kingston Teachers’ Federation

“Power is
Knowledge”

As the past Election Day approached, I was
speaking with people about the issues. Iraq, the economy, and taxes were the
usual issues and the sniper shootings were added in. I asked about the sources
of their views and found that, as expected, were tabloid and local papers and
the television/cable media. Coupled with this, I began to look at the
demographics of our society.

Within the past decade, America has aged
and most retirees would like to preserve what they have. Additionally, we have
the impact of 9/11 and the recent sniper shootings and we have a societal fear
for our safety. The image of Iraq as an immediate cause of concern gives us an
opportunity to go on the offensive. And how do we know all of this? What is the
source of our information? It’s an entertainment medium that has disguised
itself as an objective source of news information.

The idea of changing horses in the middle
of the stream doesn’t seem like a good idea to many and that was reflected in
the results on Election Day. Turnout was abysmal and the ‘ins’ were trusted and
reelected and the ‘outs’ were rejected. Playing it safe and believing in the
messages triumphed. Having lived through the Vietnam period, I’m more than a
little suspect of the establishment. What I do see is the expert use of the
media to plan for favorable outcomes.

Within the past two weeks, the
Superintendent of the Kingston Schools has stated that the district must do a
better job of informing the public of the positive aspects of education in the
Kingston Schools. It’s offered that this will lead to better community links
and to the passing of a budget. Maybe so, but the strategists who pulled off
the Election Day coups will never agree that informing the public of their
strategy ahead of time, or admitting to it afterwards, will gain you any trust.
The power and success lies in the subtle creation of a knowledge base that
becomes truth to the public because it’s in the media. The public doesn’t trust
self-interested sources. PR 101 just doesn’t cut it. Ask the Election Day
strategists. They planted the ideas in the media (whom they knew had to fill
space and time) months ago and the public bought it as objective news. The
public wants to believe that there is no strategy, no deceit, and they trust
the information because they read it in the newspaper or saw it on TV. And, the
strategy works best when everyone supports the common patriotic bottom line.
Such is not the case with school budgets.

Not everyone in the public is supportive
of public schools. Those on fixed incomes, commercial establishments impacted
by Homestead tax structures, and supporters of vouchers are not going to be
convinced by ‘canned’ self-serving presentations. Knowledge used to be power.
Now, the power lies in the creation of the knowledge. As seen on Election Day,
it’s the group that stealthily plans its agenda, knows its players, spreads the
message, and galvanizes support that achieves success.

And, that’s the Bottom Line.

VOTE/COPE UPDATE

Vince Voerg,
Vote/Cope Coordinatorr

Our annual
VOTE/COPE appeal ended on November 1, and initial figures reflect a significant
increase in the KTF contribution to the larger NYSUT campaign. As of this
writing, late contributions are still coming in, but the first run of figures
screams of a successful campaign especially in the area of payroll deduction
contributions. All forms and figures were due to the central office for payroll
deduction by November 8 in order to facilitate the November 22 paycheck
withdrawal. The December Torch will give an accurate accounting of our success.

We extend an extraordinary thank you to
all KTF reps who facilitated this enormous effort. A note of gratitude is also
extended to all who increased their contribution amount and to all who
maintained a responsible level of contribution. We particularly welcome and
applaud those who contributed for the first time. To all, your KTF officers
extend a hearty and professional ‘Thank you’.

RETIRED TEACHERS

Teachers who
retired from the Kingston Schools are reminded that they are obligated to join
the Kingston Retired Teachers’ Federation if they wish to continue their NYSUT
benefits. It is a rule of NYSUT. Frequently, members are notified by NYSUT
Benefits that they are no longer eligible for benefits. From now until the
Spring, contact Don Sweeney at (845) 679-8697 for retiree information.

The Kingston
Retired Teachers’ Federation will hold their next luncheon on December 11 at Wiltwyck. Why not make a holiday date and treat yourself to
an afternoon of remembrances of the past and planning for the future. The
status of retirees is becoming a very large issue that has vast implications.
Retirees must remain active and involved.

MARK IT DOWN!

*KTF
PANTRY DRIVE: Nov. 21

The KTF Board
of Directors, at the November meeting, voted that the KTF should operate their
own pantry drive and select yearly recipients. This year, the Soap Closet at
the Holy Cross Church will be the beneficiary. Donations of toothpaste,
shampoo, soap, dish and detergent, and mouthwash will be accepted. Joanne
Friedman (Meagher/Chambers) has graciously
volunteered to coordinate the collection and distribution of items.

*KTF
BLOOD DRIVE- NOVEMBER 20

It will have
been 435 days since September 11 when the KTF holds their Blood Drive on
November 20. KTF Vice President Suzanne Jordan has organized the effort for
that afternoon at the Bailey School. Applications are available in all schools
and should be returned promptly to Suzanne. The KTF would like to collect 100
pints and asks everyone who is able to give to do so and, for those who are
unable to give, to volunteer their assistance.Contact
Suzanne at JWB.

*APPLE
GALA SCHEDULED- June 18

Circle your
calendar for Wednesday, June 18, for the celebration at APPLE GALA X.

*SWEATSHOP
FREE RESOLUTION

And, mark this down! A
proposal, already in ready-resolution form, that would ensure that the district
does not purchase any clothing items from companies or nations that use child
labor in the production of those items, was presented to Board of Education President
B.A.Feeney in September. It was the same resolution
that was presented to the Board (of which he was a member) in February of 1999.
To date, no action has been taken by the Board. If it is discovered that the
district has purchased items made by child labor, please inform your KTF rep.

To access the
purchase ($10) of an AFT multidisciplinary video on “Lost Futures: The Problem
of Child Labor”, go to www.AFT.org .

IN SERVICE/GRAD CREDITS

The district
was advised of member concerns regarding the timeliness in awarding salary
credit. There is an on-going effort to complete all existing submissions by
November 22.

Members are
reminded that all in-services that are not school or MHTC sponsored need prior
approval. Credit for hours should be submitted when 45 seat hours (3 credits)
is achieved. Salary increases are paid from the date of that submission.

NEW MEMBERS—FREE!

All new KTF
members are eligible for a free, one year $50,000 Term Life Insurance policy, a
free one year Disability Insurance policy, and a free one year enrollment in
the NYSUT legal Service Plan. These benefits are offered to KTF new members at
NO CHARGE! The Legal Service Plan is activated by a checkoff
on the NYSUT Enrollment Card. In January, new members will receive information
on the Life and Disability insurance. Contact your Building Rep for any info.

*CERTIFICATION:
There are many new sources of information to learn about the new requirements
for certification. On line, visit www.nysut.org
or the N.Y.S. Education Department (SED) at www.nysed.gov.
The telephone number of the SED Certification Office is (518)474-3901.

AREA BARGAINING

The teacher
locals in GREENVILLE, Washingtonville, Newburgh, Roscoe, Tri-Valley, and Fallsburg began the year with expired contracts.

The following
plan modifications, clarifications and amendments have been approved for the
Kingston Trust Plan with National Health Administrators, Inc.

*Lasik Eye Surgery: Extended
benefits to NPPO providers.

*Specialists-Office Copay: $15.
($10 copay for all others.)

*CT Screening: modified to include bone density exams for
females

or spouses 55 or
older (100%, $10 copay, once every two years or

as medically
necessary).

*Medicare coordination: If a provider accepts Medicare,
but will not

bill Medicare,
the plan allows up to 115% of the Medicare charge

and will pay the
benefit up to the 115% less any Medicare

payments.

*Behavioral: The NHAI Behavioral Network is the exclusive
provider

of behavioral
services. If a member uses an outside provider with

the approval of
NHAI, the maximum allowable charge will be limited

to the lowest fee
schedule within network and the member is

responsible for
all charges that are not covered under the plan. All

services must be
pre-approved.

Exclusions: Only one office visit charge per day will be
allowed even

if there is more
than one diagnosis or treatment rendered.

*Acupuncture and Chiropractic: All visit services are
limited to a

maximum charge of
$60 including the copay with a maximum plan

payment of
$50/day. Only one office visit/day is permitted to the

same provider.
The maximum annual benefit for all acupuncture,

chiropractic, and
massage therapy is limited to $1500/year.

*Massage Therapy: Effective Jan. 1, massage therapy will
only be

covered when
pre-approved under a case management program in

conjunction with
serious injury or chronic medical condition where

massage therapy is
medically necessary and is under the direct

supervision of a
physician. If approved, payment shall be at 50% up

to a maximum of
$15 for ½ hr. or $30 for 1 hr. with a maximum of 20

visits per
calendar year. It shall be included and limited to the

overall
chiropractic dollar limit.

Precertification: Any combination of chiropractic,
acupuncture, and

massage therapy
treatment expected to exceed 6 visits during any

30 period under
the supervision of the same medical provider must

be pre-certified.

A copy of the complete modifications, clarifications, and
changes to the NHAI Plan are available by contacting the Kingston Trust Office
Manager, Miriam White, at (845) 338-5422.

SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE

RoseMarieMaresca,
Treasurer

Many thanks to
the KTF Membership for contributing to this past year’s Apple Gala tickets. A
total of $5040. was depositied in the KTF Scholarship
Fund. The account balance is currently $46,061.77 in cash and $778.99 in
stocks. This total reflects our nine year fund raising activities.

Our goal is to
generate income to sustain yearly awards of approximately $5000. I urge your
continued support by honoring a birthday, anniversary, or remembering a loved
one with a contribution. The KTF Executive Committee will gladly notify friends
and family of the tribute.